•  
Make bracelets, charms, and more with colorful rubber bands. Now with a durable metal hook.
<p><strong>Toy Description</strong></p> <p>The kit includes the loom, metal hook, a bag of 600+ assorted rubber bands, and instructions. Other kits may contain a completely plastic hook. The loom is made of clear hard-plastic and is reported to be quite sturdy and durable. The rubber bands are phthalate and latex free, and meet US safety standards.</p> <p><strong>Play</strong></p> <p>Using the hook to weave rubber bands around one another, users can create bracelets with simple or elaborate designs. Thinking through how band placement can change the final design of the bracelet helps encourage problem-solving skills, as well as being able to think in geometric terms.</p> <p>Once the basic gist of the weaving technique is understood, children can add complexity to the overall design. Increasing the width or length of the bracelet can be achieved by connecting multiple looms together.</p> <p>Creativity flows as children choose what colors and patterns they want to make. Though there are quite a number of tutorials online to help demonstrate different patterning techniques, there is no one correct way to use the loom. 3D charms and other small creations can also be made.</p> <p>More often marketed toward girls, reviewers pointed out that boys also enjoyed playing with the toy, particularly boys in their pre-teens or younger.</p> <p><strong>Observations</strong></p> <p>As most feedback received mentions, the fun comes from the child being able to make something themselves. Children can wear their own designs, give unique gifts, or create matching patterns for friends.</p> <p>The manufacturer recommends this toy be used by children 8 years and up, though we did notice many reports of children around 5 and 6 also greatly enjoying the toy. So long as the child is beyond putting small toys in their mouth, and has enough dexterity to use the hook to maneuver the rubber bands, children younger than the recommended age can use this toy. Supervision may be needed with young children, as they may need assistance to fully get the hang of how to work the loom.</p> <p>Many reviewers said children played with the loom for a couple hours at a time, with several reviewers saying that children were able to entertain themselves without adult interactions. We also noted several reports of children enjoying working together on one loom to come up with complex patterns.</p> <p><strong>Care</strong></p> <ul> <li>Wash the hard plastic loom with warm water and soap.</li> <li>Replacement hooks, and additional rubber bands can be purchased.</li> </ul> <p>For more in-depth information on how to clean this type of toy, please see our blog, <a href="/Blogs1/The-Cleaning-Guide-for-Toys.htm" linktype="8" target="_self">The Cleaning Guide for Toys</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Parts and Pieces</strong></p> <p>Additional rubber bands, as well as replacement parts, can be purchased from Amazon, or <a href="https://www.rainbowloom.com/" linktype="3" target="_blank">directly from the manufactuer at their website</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Concerns</strong></p> <p>We have noted issues with counterfeit Rainbow Looms being sold both in stores and online. The manufacturer has provided a PowerPoint Presentation to help identity an authentic product:</p> <p><a href="https://www.rainbowloom.com/sites/default/files/Danger_of_counterfeits_and_how_to_spot_them.pdf" linktype="3" target="_blank">https://www.rainbowloom.com/sites/default/files/Danger_of_counterfeits_and_how_to_spot_them.pdf</a></p>
Rainbow Loom
Date published: 2016-02-15
8.50 / 10 stars

Rainbow Loom

by Rainbow Loom
current stage2016-02-15

Brightly colored rubber bands can be woven into bracelets or 3D charms. Using the Rainbow Loom, children can use their imagination to create items to wear themselves or give as gifts.

Much of the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive for this toy. However, we have noticed a number of low-quality counterfeits being received. We included tips on how to check for authenticity at the bottom of this page.

  • Rainbow Loom Bands with Metal Hook
  • Rainbow Loom Bands with Metal Hook
  • Rainbow Loom Bands with Metal Hook
  • Rainbow Loom Bands with Metal Hook
  • Rainbow Loom Bands with Metal Hook
  • Rainbow Loom Bands with Metal Hook
Rainbow Loom Bands with Metal Hook
Overall8.50
This measure how often, for how long, and how many different ages will play with this toy. A great toy will be loved for years, and is still wanted as the child grows.
Replay
  • 9.50
 
This measures the quality of the materials and production processes used.
Quality
  • 8.00
 
This scores how well a toy encourages critical thinking, pattern recognition, and memory improvement.
Cognitive
  • 6.50
 
Including both gross and fine motor skills, this measure how much this toy engages and challenges physical mobility, body awareness, and coordination.
Motor
  • 5.00
 
This measures how likely a toy is to spark social play between children or how well it teaches socially healthy behavior.
Social
  • 3.00
 

Product Specs

Age 8+
Made in China
Recalls No
Batteries None
Materials Hard Plastic, Rubber Bands
Choking Hazard Small rubber bands
Date Reviewed 01/19/2016

Where to Buy

Amazon $29.99
Pros
  • Entertains wide range of ages
  • Many instructional videos on YouTube
  • Multiple looms can be connected to increase bracelet size
  • Encourages creativity, problem-solving, and geometric thinking
  • Easy to get started
Cons
  • Requires future purchases of rubber bands
  • Small pieces can be a choking hazard
Detailed Review

Toy Description

The kit includes the loom, metal hook, a bag of 600+ assorted rubber bands, and instructions. Other kits may contain a completely plastic hook. The loom is made of clear hard-plastic and is reported to be quite sturdy and durable. The rubber bands are phthalate and latex free, and meet US safety standards.

Play

Using the hook to weave rubber bands around one another, users can create bracelets with simple or elaborate designs. Thinking through how band placement can change the final design of the bracelet helps encourage problem-solving skills, as well as being able to think in geometric terms.

Once the basic gist of the weaving technique is understood, children can add complexity to the overall design. Increasing the width or length of the bracelet can be achieved by connecting multiple looms together.

Creativity flows as children choose what colors and patterns they want to make. Though there are quite a number of tutorials online to help demonstrate different patterning techniques, there is no one correct way to use the loom. 3D charms and other small creations can also be made.

More often marketed toward girls, reviewers pointed out that boys also enjoyed playing with the toy, particularly boys in their pre-teens or younger.

Observations

As most feedback received mentions, the fun comes from the child being able to make something themselves. Children can wear their own designs, give unique gifts, or create matching patterns for friends.

The manufacturer recommends this toy be used by children 8 years and up, though we did notice many reports of children around 5 and 6 also greatly enjoying the toy. So long as the child is beyond putting small toys in their mouth, and has enough dexterity to use the hook to maneuver the rubber bands, children younger than the recommended age can use this toy. Supervision may be needed with young children, as they may need assistance to fully get the hang of how to work the loom.

Many reviewers said children played with the loom for a couple hours at a time, with several reviewers saying that children were able to entertain themselves without adult interactions. We also noted several reports of children enjoying working together on one loom to come up with complex patterns.

Care

  • Wash the hard plastic loom with warm water and soap.
  • Replacement hooks, and additional rubber bands can be purchased.

For more in-depth information on how to clean this type of toy, please see our blog, The Cleaning Guide for Toys.  

Parts and Pieces

Additional rubber bands, as well as replacement parts, can be purchased from Amazon, or directly from the manufactuer at their website

Concerns

We have noted issues with counterfeit Rainbow Looms being sold both in stores and online. The manufacturer has provided a PowerPoint Presentation to help identity an authentic product:

https://www.rainbowloom.com/sites/default/files/Danger_of_counterfeits_and_how_to_spot_them.pdf

Manufacturer's Description

The Original Rainbow Loom from Choon's Design. The kit comes with 600+ assorted bands featuring the new metal hook and 24 large C-clips.

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